Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield will challenge Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to face the people of Sheffield over the Forgemasters loan cancellation, at a protest tomorrow.

It has been revealed that a petition calling for the Government to reinstate the loan has reached over 10,000 signatures.

Mr Blomfield said, "I’m inviting Nick Clegg to an open public meeting to answer local concerns about the cancellation of the loan to Forgemasters. Any time, any place, this is his chance to answer to the people of Sheffield”.

“10,000 people from right across Sheffield have signed our petition calling on Clegg to reverse the decision to scrap the Forgemasters loan. The scale of anger and opposition to the Tory-Lib Dem Government’s decision is unprecedented and shows no sign of abating."

The Town Hall protest, which is to take place at 5.15pm, is timed to coincide with Mr Clegg's visit to the city to meet with councillors, business and voluntary leaders and local MPs, and to launch a new council service to help city businesses.

Cllr Leigh Bramall said last night of Mr Clegg's visit, "You can say Nick Clegg can come to Sheffield and hold his head up high, but he doesn't. It's a hokey-cokey, in and out the back door."